The Arlington Central School District's proposed $210 million budget includes mental health training for staff, two additional social workers and an English as a New Language teacher.

It also cuts nearly five instructional positions, "consistent with declining enrollment," according to the district.

The proposed budget represents a 2.36 percent increase from this school year's. It's under the tax cap and would be funded in part by $139 million in property taxes. The tax levy would rise 2.2 percent.

Arlington's spending plan

The district says Arlington's spending plan, which includes the purchase of a portable generator, "preserves and enhances" academic and extra-curricular programs.

Like it has in other years, the district again faced budgeting challenges due to the unpredictability of expenses such as health insurance and revenues such as state aid, said Arlington Superintendent Brendan Lyons.

"Our expenses exceed revenue year-over-year, and we have increased our reliance on use of fund balance," Lyons said. "This is difficult to sustain long-term."

Using some fund balance was one way Arlington filled a $3.5 million budget gap for the 2018-19 year. Lyons said the district also had lower than expected health insurance costs, a reduction in state Teachers' Retirement System rates and an overall net reduction in staff.

Other propositions

The budget isn't the only proposition on the ballot. Residents will decide on a $2 million bus proposal to purchase more than two dozen school vehicles and the establishment of a $20 million capital reserve fund, to be set aside over 20 years.

They'll also vote on a $3.3 million plan to upgrade Arlington High School's athletic facilities, some of which are in poor shape, according to the district.

If approved, turf would be replaced on the soccer and football fields, and installed on the softball infield. The track would be resurfaced, and new bleachers and an elevated press box would be installed. The plan would also mean renovations for some high school bathrooms.